EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a tense, back-and-forth Ohio Valley Conference clash defined by critical plays in the final seconds, the Lindenwood Lions edged the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles 69-67 in a women’s basketball game Thursday night at the Physical Activities Center.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for Lindenwood, which also defeated Southern Indiana 75-65 on Jan. 3, and tightened the conference race. The Lions improved to 16-6 overall, while the Screaming Eagles fell to 14-6.

The game’s decisive sequence unfolded over the final 13 seconds with Lindenwood clinging to a one-point lead. Southern Indiana’s Ali Saunders, who poured in a game-high 30 points, committed a turnover under pressure from Lindenwood’s Aleshia Jones. Jones was fouled and calmly sank both free throws to extend the Lions’ lead to three with 13 seconds remaining.

After a Southern Indiana timeout, the Screaming Eagles executed a play to get Saunders a look from beyond the arc, and the standout guard delivered, draining a 3-pointer to tie the game at 67 with just eight seconds on the clock.

Lindenwood immediately advanced the ball and called timeout. On the ensuing inbounds play, the Lions found Ellie Brueggemann, their leading scorer, who was fouled by Chloe Gannon while attempting a 3-pointer with six seconds left. Brueggemann, an Owasso, Oklahoma, native who finished with 26 points, stepped to the line and made the first two free throws to regain the lead. She intentionally missed the third, and after a scramble, Southern Indiana’s final desperation heave from Saunders missed as time expired.

The frantic finish capped a contest where neither team led by more than eight points. Lindenwood built an early advantage, leading 18-13 after the first quarter and 34-31 at halftime, largely on the strength of its perimeter shooting. The Lions connected on 13 of 31 attempts from 3-point range, with Brueggemann and Brooke Coffey combining for seven makes from deep. Coffey, from St. Charles, Missouri, added 16 points.

Southern Indiana stayed close by attacking the paint and the free-throw line. The Screaming Eagles shot 22 of 50 from the field but only 6 of 20 from 3-point range, instead relying on Saunders’ all-around brilliance and the interior presence of Chloe Gannon. Gannon, of Manchester, Tennessee, scored 17 points. Southern Indiana made 17 of 23 free throws compared to Lindenwood’s 8-of-13 performance.

A key statistical disparity came in ball security and creation. Lindenwood forced 14 Southern Indiana turnovers while committing only 10, and the Lions recorded nine steals to the Screaming Eagles’ five. Lindenwood also won the assist battle, nine to five, and grabbed nine offensive rebounds to Southern Indiana’s five, leading to a 68-70 advantage in total possessions.

Beyond Brueggemann and Coffey, Lindenwood got a vital 15 points and four assists from Aleshia Jones of Leavenworth, Kansas. Mya Skoff of Bellevue, Nebraska, contributed seven points and played disruptive defense.

For Southern Indiana, Saunders filled the stat sheet with 30 points, five assists, a block and a steal in 40 minutes. Amiyah Buchanan of Evansville, Indiana, added eight points and a game-high nine rebounds.

The game drew an attendance of 943. Lindenwood’s next contest is at Morehead State on Saturday. Southern Indiana will host SIU Edwardsville on Saturday.